4. Delivery and Feedback When presenting your message to a congregation, speak loud enough so that those in the back can hear. One way to assure this is to look at someone in the back, and speak as if you were having a conversation with that person. Vary the volume and speed of your speech, emphasizing your main points. Pause at appropriate times and allow people to think about key ideas. When you pause, continue to have eye contact with listeners, expecting them to think about what you have said. Be excited about what you are saying If you are enthusiastic, your listeners maybe enthusiastic. Use animation. Move your hands and arms as appropriate. Show respect and love for your congregation. Expect the best from them. Express this love in your speech and facial expressions. Generally begin sermons with a smile. There are times when you must admonish a congregation to turn from sin or error. There are also times in which you need to encourage those who are hurting. A familiar saying is that a preacher afflicts the comfortable, and comforts the afflicted Use visual aids as appropriate. Sometimes prophets in the Bible illustrated their point by acting out something or by using some object to illustrate their message. This method is particularly effective in speaking with children. Get feedback. You may choose a few trusted and knowledgeable people to meet with you soon after you deliver sermons to express what they feel were the strong and weak parts of sermons. If you are married, your spouse may give feedback.
